WyoHackathon 2019 scheduled for Sept. 22

By Tom Dixon, Content Marketing Manager

May 9, 2019

The University of Wyoming will host the second annual WyoHackathon event this fall to demonstrate its commitment to blockchain technology.

The “WyoHackathon 2019” is Friday, Sept. 20 - Sunday, Sept. 22, at UW’s new $105 million Engineering Education and Research Building. The event aligns the best of both UW and Wyoming to incorporate and use new technology to add value to the state’s economy and educational system, according to organizers.

“The hackathon, and other events like it, will bolster our college’s culture of entrepreneurship, help us guide Wyoming’s economic development and foster innovative growth,” says Michael Pishko, the dean of UW’s College of Engineering and Applied Science.

Caitlin Long, WyoHackathon chair, praises Wyoming blockchain efforts.

“Wyoming has now enacted a total of 13 blockchain-enabling laws, making it the only U.S. state to provide a comprehensive, welcoming legal framework that enables blockchain technology to flourish, both for individuals and companies,” Long says. “These laws enable innovation and creativity, and are meant to bring capital, jobs and revenue into Wyoming.”

WyoHackathon is a competitive sprint-like team event where hackers collaborate on chosen projects to solve using blockchain technologies. Teams have 48 hours to brainstorm, prototype and create solutions to business and technology challenges.

Blockchain is a breakthrough database technology for storing information; and has wide-ranging uses for managing various data and records, including cryptocurrency. The concept already has made its way into many UW departments and classrooms.

UW President Laurie Nichols also praises the technology.

“This emerging technology has great promise to boost the state’s economy, and our faculty and students are immersed in the exploration of its potential,” Nichols says. “The hackathon will shine a bright light on these efforts and those of people from across the country.”

Organizers of this year’s event hope to exceed last year’s attendance of more than 400 participants in its successful first year of competition. In addition, all sponsorship proceeds from the WyoHackathon will support the event and UW.

“Last year’s event was wildly successful. It’s about building blockchain innovations that create economic opportunities for Wyoming, supporting the blockchain ecosystem and giving back to the community,” says Rich Kopcho, WyoHackathon producer. “UW is excited to host the event because it aligns with the curriculum and legislation.”

Registration and sponsorship and partnership opportunities are available on the website at www.wyohackathon.io. More information will be available in coming months.

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